The Middle Ages in Europe PDF Fall 2024

The Middle Ages in Europe İstanbul Bilgi University EC179 Social Issues and Critical Thinking Fall 2024 The Middle Ages began with the fall of the Western Roman Empire and transitioned into th...

The Middle Ages in Europe İstanbul Bilgi University EC179 Social Issues and Critical Thinking Fall 2024 The Middle Ages began with the fall of the Western Roman Empire and transitioned into the Renaissance and the Age of Discovery. Medieval civilization was created by a combining of three primary elements: Judeo- Christian religion and values, Classical (Greco-Roman) civilization barbarian culture. Lack of strong central government in Western Europe ! The Dark Age. The collapse of Roman civilization in western Europe was followed by a Dark Age of barbarian invasion, settlement and supremacy, lasting around 300 years. Many of the improvements introduced during the Roman Empire, such as a relatively efficient agriculture, extensive road networks, water-supply systems, and shipping routes, decayed substantially, as did artistic and scholarly endeavours. Trade was distrupted Urban centers disappeared as people moved to rural settings due to safety problems Spain – Visigoths Germany – Saxons Britain – Anglo-Saxons Italy – Lombards Avars and Slavs France / Western Germany – Franks These Germanic kingdoms all eventually converted to Catholic Christianity and formed an alliance with the Church. Charlemagne established a centralized kingdom in 800 A.D. Charlemagne’s coronation by the Pope on Christmas Day 800 united the sacral and royal functions. Rex, pater Europae The Holy Roman Empire  Charlemagne Europe' as a polity in the 9th century. It still suggests a ruler whose reputation had already created a sense of unity which would extend beyond the identity of a single people. Expansion of the papal power in Western European political affairs The revival of learning and the return of trade Following Charlemagne’s death, the Holy Roman Empire was divided into three pieces in 843 A.D. Feudalism  A lack of strong leaders led to a new system of government and land holding, know as feudalism.  One of the reasons behind the development of feudalism was to provide protection from three groups of invaders: Vikings, Magyars, Muslims. Political characteristics of feudalism:  Decentralized governments  A system of local government based on the control of land and mutual obligations.  Kings granted land to their nobles in return for their pledge of loyalty and military support.  Local lords made their own laws and controlled their own armies.  The Roman Catholic Church The promise of eternal life provided hope for people who had no social mobility. Keeping birth, marriage, and death records Attempts at regulating kings’ power through canon law Canon law: the law of the church which regulates church practices and individuals’ deeds The Church was the largest land holder in Western Europe Citizens paid the Church a tithe, which is a 10% income tax  The preservation of learning and education Establishing the first universities in Europe Medieval art and architecture reflect the power of the Church. (Gothic cathedrals included stained glass and statues depicting bible stories.) Church became one of the few places for average people to gather together and interact. The Crusades In 1095 A.D., Pope Urban II called for a crusade of Christian knights to go to the Middle East to re-take the holy land (Jerusalem) from Muslim control. Tens of thousands of European knights left to fight the crusades. “Come then, with all your people and give battle with all your strength, so that all this treasure shall not fall into the hands of the Turks…Therefore act while there is still time lest the kingdom of the Christians shall vanish from your sight and, what is more important, the Holy Sepulcher [the tomb where Jesus was buried] shall vanish. And in your coming you will find your reward in heaven, and if you do not come, God will condemn you.” -Emperor Alexius Comnenus The crusading knights were inspired by: 1. Promises of salvation 2. Relief from taxes and debts 3. The spoils of war  There were a series of crusades over a period of two hundred years. Ultimately, Muslims maintained control of the holy land. Effects of the Crusades included:  Stimulating the trade of goods and ideas between Europe and the Middle East.  Trade led to a growth in the number of European towns  Europeans were exposed to Muslim advances in math, science and medicine Italian city-states gain power from trade along the Mediterranean Sea. Notable examples of these northern city-states include Florence, Siena, and Venice.  Autonomous cities During the Middle Ages both the Holy Roman Empire and the papacy claimed to be the successor to ancient Rome. From the 1000s to the 1200s, an intense rivalry existed between the Holy Roman Empire and the papacy, providing an opportunity for the cities of northern and central Italy to develop. Owing allegiance to neither, the city- state depended on its own resources rather than on privileges granted by a higher power. City-states in Italy formed a new social and economic order. Status and citizenship were determined by the community itself, rather than by medieval ideas of wealth, power, and feudal obligations.  Autonomous cities Employment and wealth depended increasingly on trade, industry, and financial activities such as banking and insurance. Furthermore, the scope of commerce expanded beyond local or regional activities to international trade. Emerging city-states sought to defend their authority while reducing the power of their opponents. City-states also made their own laws, established their own courts, and appointed their own judges and officials. They signed treaties, declared war and peace, and raised taxes. City-states even challenged the power of the Roman Catholic Church, influencing church appointments and taxing the clergy.  Autonomous cities The wealth and opportunities for political power offered by city-states attracted ambitious nobles. From the 1200s onward, many cities in northern and central Italy surrendered authority to the lordship of a powerful noble family. (Milan and Padua) Venice was the only major city-state with the resources and political stability to keep its independence and status as a republic throughout the Renaissance. Although Florence remained a republic, after 1434 its government was increasingly controlled by the Medici family. The High Middle Ages The development of towns led to the establishment of an influential middle class including merchants and artisans. – Bourgeoisie. This period saw a revival of learning. The guild system was established as a way to protect the interests of tradesman. The End of the Middle Ages (5th -15th century) in Europe: 1453 “Fall” of Constantinople  Reformation Movement started 1517  Renaissance (rebirth of the ideas and achievements of classical antiquity): 15th and 16th centuries Classical antiquity: the period of cultural European history between the 8th century BC and the 5th century AD comprising the civilizations of ancient Greece and ancient Rome